City strike it Luque as Joan pens six-month deal

The Imps have today secured a deal for Heybridge Swifts forward Joan Luque, on a six-month contract.

Luque started out at San Pedro Lumen and UD Bon Pastor and at the age of 10, he had the football world at his feet. Catalan giants Barcelona wanted to have a look and Guillermo Amor, head of Barca’s youth system, telling the youngster that he was convinced he could be a Barcelona player if he really wanted it.

He spent two years at Barcelona but didn’t make the grade, dropping down to play youth football for Damm, Gramanet, Europa and Cornellà. He featured in the Copa del Rey Juvenil for Cornellà as they beat Real Madrid in the first leg of the second round, with Álvaro Morata, Pablo Sarabia and Dani Carvajal all lining up against him.

He made his first senior appearances for Gramenet B, scoring 8 times in the Primera Catalana. At the end of the season was selected by NIKE as one of the 100 best players of Catalonia.

Since then, he has played for numerous clubs, including CF Montañesa, Vilassar de Mar, FC Santboià, Sabadell B and Heybridge Swifts.

He found his way over to England after former Gramanet team mate Guillem Ramón suggested a trial for a group of Spanish players on English soil. he impressed, earned a deal and set about making a name for himself.

Despite his trial, he recently extended his Heybridge contract to the end of 2018/19, but with his dream of playing in the Football league, the Imps trial was too good of an opportunity to turn down.

His arrival comes after Heybridge accepted a bid from another unnamed League Two club, but it would appear that was never a consideration as he signs for the Imps. He takes the number 19 shirt and is in contention to be involved this weekend against Swindon.